Bilstein HD or Edelbrock IAS???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 986
Likes: 99
From: Collegeville PA
Bilstein HD or Edelbrock IAS???
Ok, I need shocks...bad. I've searched the archives and have narrowed down my choices to either Bilstein HD or Edelbrock IAS.
However, the description in my Ecklers catalog says "Bilstein shocks may increase the ride height of the car 1/2..." Also, while searching the archives, I saw a post about the Edelbrocks that said that their "Inertia Valve" decreases the shocks travel distance by 1" and cause lowered cars (which mine is) to bottom out on medium to large bumps.
I do not autocross, but do get on it on the street once in a while. I want a shock that will be soft on rough roads and firm on soft roads, which is exactly what Edelbrock claims due to their "Inertia Valve".
Any advive would be appriciated!!!
BTW, I have an 88, the oddball year for shocks, so my options are limited.
Thanks
However, the description in my Ecklers catalog says "Bilstein shocks may increase the ride height of the car 1/2..." Also, while searching the archives, I saw a post about the Edelbrocks that said that their "Inertia Valve" decreases the shocks travel distance by 1" and cause lowered cars (which mine is) to bottom out on medium to large bumps.
I do not autocross, but do get on it on the street once in a while. I want a shock that will be soft on rough roads and firm on soft roads, which is exactly what Edelbrock claims due to their "Inertia Valve".
Any advive would be appriciated!!!
BTW, I have an 88, the oddball year for shocks, so my options are limited.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 125
From: Dunstable MA
St. Jude Donor '05
As a resident heretic, I suggest you take a look at Monroe's Sensatrac shock. I don't know what the effect will be for a lowered car, but they do okay on my 87 and the New England roadways.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Rich Silvestris
As a resident heretic, I suggest you take a look at Monroe's Sensatrac shock. I don't know what the effect will be for a lowered car, but they do okay on my 87 and the New England roadways.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
I've got Monroe's on my '85 (mine isn't lowered). Alot of people like to bash them because they aren't Bilsteins. But I dont really have anything bad to say about them. They do fine on PA roads, and dont rattle my teeth like my old shocks did...
Between the two brands you suggested: I have never heard anything bad about the Edelbrock IAS struts- and if price wouldn't have discouraged me, thats what I would have gotten.
Between the two brands you suggested: I have never heard anything bad about the Edelbrock IAS struts- and if price wouldn't have discouraged me, thats what I would have gotten.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Pleasant TX
NO Edelbrocks on Lowered Car
I just replaced mine w/ the Bilsteins. Did the same research. Was told not to put Edelbrocks on a lowered car because of the travel. Also the Edelbrocks in my opinion, I've never owned a set so it's only an opinion. Don't warrant the xtra $150 over the Bilsteins, based on what I've been told by others that use them . Not based on performance driving , anyway. They do sound as if they offer a great ride, though. But so do the Bilstein HD that I just put on @ $299 shipped. eshocks.com. vs. $445 for the Edelbrocks.
Replaced tires and shocks last week . Car drives like a dream now.
I wanted the Edelbrocks at first but they just didn't get a great report from those that have used them.
Replaced tires and shocks last week . Car drives like a dream now.
I wanted the Edelbrocks at first but they just didn't get a great report from those that have used them.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 2
From: Thomson Georgia
I've got the Monroes on my 90 and I love them. It's lowered 1"+ and I don't have any problems with them. I don't have near the rattles that I had with Bilsteins or the KYBs. I think you'll be pleased.
Got KYBs on the 89 and they are really firm.
Of course you can spend the money on the Bilsteins and the Monroes are a bit more expensive than the KYBs. The money I saved, I bought other toys.
Johnny
Got KYBs on the 89 and they are really firm.
Of course you can spend the money on the Bilsteins and the Monroes are a bit more expensive than the KYBs. The money I saved, I bought other toys.
Johnny
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
What about the TPIS shocks that Corvette Central sells, are they any good? Also, i had considered putting Z51 Bilstein shocks on my 91, how much harder will the car ride with those in there instead of my current FE1 shocks?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: sd
I have the Edelbrock and love them! I've tried the sensa-crap shocks and they didn't work for me and in fact after 1 month the gas had come out of them. The ride with the Edelbrock is exactly as they describe and had them on a few years before I replaced all of the bushings on the car with poly. Now that that has been done the ride is very firm like a sports car should be but not jarring as some have said that you get with Bilstein. I've never had the Bilstein but if they came stock than maybe that would be the way to go too. These days money talks and the pocketbook can scream when it needs too! Good luck with your choice!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
I have tried Koni's, Monroe's (when I didn't know better), Gabriel's, AC Delco's and Bilstein's. No surprise you get what you pay for. The Bilstein is slightly better than the Koni's and lasted longer. The rest are junk. They may ride OK when cold but with the high heat generated with spirited driving they will fade.The fade is much harder to feel than brake fade but if you know your car well when driven hard you certainly can tell. Considering shocks are a critical part that is working hard every minute I would get the Bilsteins. Unfortunately, some members do not know what they are talking about. I found that out when I took the recommendation for a mechanic from a forum member. The rocommended shop in Cave Creek, Arizona (AAAce Tech Auto Repair) was not only incompetent (installed wheel bearings incorrectly and bleed clutch getting air into the system) he also charged me an extra fee ($200 in addition to the inflated labor cost) for installing my wheel bearings parts- he never mentioned he would do that until the car had the parts installed. He would not lower the car until he got the CASH first. I had to have all the work redone. Anyway, if not sure about part quality remember you can usually go by the "you get what you pay for rule" with quality of parts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 986
Likes: 99
From: Collegeville PA
Thanks for the replies! The toughest part about asking for shock advise is that everyone is different, and everyone drives different. So a shock could be perfect for one guy and terrible for the next depending on their expectations/driving habits.
A friend recomended QA1 "C" Series which are fully adjustable (without removing the wheel or shock). I need to make sure they offer them for my '88, but if they do, I think I'm gonna go with them. This way I have the ability to dial in my personal settings based on my suspension/driving habits and expectations. I'm probably looking in the $550 - $600 range, but this way I will have the ability to adjust them to the exact firm/soft feel...and hopefully NO dissapointments!
Thanks!!!
A friend recomended QA1 "C" Series which are fully adjustable (without removing the wheel or shock). I need to make sure they offer them for my '88, but if they do, I think I'm gonna go with them. This way I have the ability to dial in my personal settings based on my suspension/driving habits and expectations. I'm probably looking in the $550 - $600 range, but this way I will have the ability to adjust them to the exact firm/soft feel...and hopefully NO dissapointments!
Thanks!!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Triple Black 88
I do not autocross, but do get on it on the street once in a while. I want a shock that will be soft on rough roads and firm on soft roads,
I think you would be best served by new Bilstein units.
The QA-1 are for drivers who NEED to adjust damping for different tracks. The Edelbrocks are more expensive and don't work as well as new Bilsteins.
There are about 14 threads on this subject floating around C4 forums right now....check 'em all out for best information.
Larry
code5coupe
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 210
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From: Helotes TX
